Bit brace



Jam. 14,, 1941.

c. L. RCCK 2,228,888

BIT BRACE Filed June 21, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet l Gaf el MEG/0 Q w (9 m 4%..

2 Shee ts-Sheet 2 G. L. ROCK BIT BRACE Filed June 21, 1937 Jan. 14, 1941.

Patented Jan. 14, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BIT BRACE George, L. Rock, North Adams, Mich.

Application June 21, 1937, Serial No. 149,321

13 Claims.

This invention relates to ratchet bit braces or like work tools and particularly to the ratchet or directive clutch mechanism of such tools.

It is an object of this invention to provide a cheaper, more durable and efficient ratchet or directive clutch mechanism for bit braces or like work tools, and in which the operating parts are protected against the entrance of dust or moisture and against loss of lubricant.

A further object of the invention is to provide a compact and sturdy ratchet or directive clutch for selectively connecting an operating member to an operated member for transmitting the force in one direction and for permitting full ratcheting of the operating member in the reverse direction.

Another object of the invention is to provide a ratcheting or directive clutch mechanism in which no lubricated surface is exposed and no surface can pinch or lacerate the hands of an operator.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved and simplified mechanism for controlling a two directional ratchet or directive clutch mechanism and for locking said mechanism against ratcheting in either direction whereby to lock the operating member to the operated member.

Other and further objects are to provide a ratchet or directive clutch mechanism for bit braces or like tools which, as compared to present day mechanisms of like character, shall be lighter in weight, sturdier in construction and capable of transmitting greater forces.

Other and further objects will be apparent from the following detailed description when considered with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a view of a bit brace embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view partly in section of the driven end of the brace.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal section taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Figs. 4 and 5 are transverse sections taken along the lines 4-4 and 5-5, respectively, of Fig. 3.

Figs. 6 and 7 are transverse sectional views similar to Fig. 5 showing the mechanism in dif' ierent positions of operation.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary transverse section similar to Fig. '7 but with certain portions of the 55 mechanism in a different position of operation.

Fig. 9 is an exploded view in perspective of the different parts of the mechanism.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of still another portion of the mechanism.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view in perspective taken along the line ll-ll of Fig. 9.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary section showing a modification of a portion of the mechanism.

Although in the drawings applicant illustrates a ratchet or directive clutch mechanism constructed in accordance with his invention as connecting the operating handle of a bit brace to the operated tool-receiving chuck, it is to be understood that such mechanism may be employed for other specific uses where it is desired to connect an operating member to an operated member by means of a two directional ratchet or directive clutch mechanism.

As shown in the drawings, the bit brace cornprises a bow or operating member 2 having the usual head 4 and handle collar 6. A toolreceiving chuck 8 of conventional construction is carried by a stud Hi. This chuck comprises a sleeve [2 having internal threads meshing with the external threads on the stud Ill, and a pair of tool-gripping jaws l4 received in the sleeve l2 and the outer end of the stud It]. The stud I0 is connected to the outer or lower end of the bow 2 by a two-directional ratchet or directive clutch mechanism I5. This mechanism comprises a ratchet I6 secured to the bow or operating member 2 by a pin 18 passing through a collar 20 formed integrally with the ratchet Hi and passing through said operating member.

The ratchet I6 is provided with a plurality of segmental grooves 22 forming spaced ratchet teeth 24. This ratchet is rotatively received in the hollow or sleeve-like end portion 26 of the stud 10. This sleeve-like portion 26 is provided with a pair of diametrically disposed slots 23 and 33, the slot 28 being of a less width but of a greater length than the slot 39. The slot 36 is of a length corresponding to the length or the grooves 22 and the teeth 24 of the ratchet l6, while the slot 28 is of a greater length and extends beyond the ratchet and overlies a reduced end portion 32 of the ratchet. The stud ID is loosely journaled on the extending end portion 34 of the operating member 2, a suitable opening 38 being formed centrally of the stud I!) to receive the portion 34. Cylindrical rollers 40 and 42, which are preferably of a diameter substantially but not exactly equal to the width of the slot 28, are received in said slot and in the slot 30. It will be noted that the slot 351 being larger than the slot 28 and greater in width than the diameter of the roller 42, there will be a certain amount of free movement permitted between the roller 42 and the portion 26 of the stud I6. A pin or key 44 is inserted in the slot 26 adjacent its outer end and rests upon or is carried by a split ring spring member 46 which overlies the collar portion 32 of the ratchet I6 and is secured internally to the portion 26 of the stud I6 by a pin, rivet or other suitable fastening means 48. It will be evident that the split ring normally urges the pin or key 44 outwardly of the slot 28. See Figs. 3 and 4.

A sleeve 56 is fitted on the portion 26 of the stud I6. This sleeve is provided with five axially extending, internal grooves 52, 54, 56, 58 and 66. The grooves 52 and 54 perform a controlling function with regard to the roller 42, the grooves 56 and 66 perform a controlling function with regard to the roller 46 and the groove 58 cooperates with the pin or key 44 to maintain the sleeve 56 in set position relative to the stud I6 as against inadvertent movement. The grooves 56 and 66 are frustocylindrical in shape and are of a diameter to fittingly receive the pin 46 without lost motion. These grooves are angularly separated by an unremoved portion 62 forming a locking surface of an arcuate width suflicient to retain the roller 46 in the grooves of the ratchet I 6. This unremoved portion 62 extends axially of the sleeve 2. distance less than the length of the grooves 56 and 66 and merges into the groove 58 which, as shown in Figs. 4 and 11, is disposed between the grooves 56 and 66. The outer edges of the grooves 56 and 66 merge into the internal surface of the sleeve 56 at a relatively abrupt angle while the inner edges of the slots are connected to the unremoved portion or locking surface 62 by reversely curved or tapering surfaces 64 in order that the roller may have relatively free movement from the groove 66 across the unremoved portion 62 to the groove 56 and may have free movement from the groove 56 across the intervening surface 62 to the groove 66. See Figs. 5 to 7. The groove 56 is also frustocylindrical in shape to mate with the frustocylindrical upper surface 66 of the pin 44, and merges with each of the grooves 56 and 66. The ridges 68 formed by these merging grooves are substantially less in radial depth than the grooves 56 and 66 in order that the sleeve 56 may be moved relative to the pin 44 to position said pin in the desired one of the grooves 56, 58 or 66. The grooves 52 and 54 are angularly separated by an unremoved portion or arcuate surface I6, the center line of this arcuate surface being diametrically opposite to the center line of the locking surface 64 and the width of the surface I6 being equal to the width of the slot 36. The circumferential width of each of the grooves 52 and 54 is equal to the width of the slot 36. The side surfaces of these grooves remote from the unremoved portion I6 merge into the internal surface of the sleeve 56 at relatively abrupt angles while the inner side surfaces of these grooves are preferably of a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the roller 42 in order that the roller 42 may not be forced beyond the outer edge of the groove but may be moved from one groove to the other across the surface I6.

The sleeve 56 has circumferential slots I2 and '54 extending into the grooves 52 and 54 and terminating adjacent the outer edges of the grooves 56 and 66. A circumferential groove or recess 76 connects the slots 12 and 14 across the bases of the grooves 56, 58 and 66. A spring strip 18 having oppositely disposed arcuate sections 86 and 82 connected by an offset arcuate portion 84 is inserted in the slots 72 and I4 and the groove I6 in such position that the free ends of the arcuate portions 80 and 82 extend into the grooves 52 and 54 in positions to engage the roller 42 and urge the same into the slot 36 of the portion 26 of the stud I 6. The spring portions extending into the grooves 52 and 54 permit the roller 42 to be moved downwardly in the grooves under the action of the ratchet I6.

An exteriorly knurled sleeve or collar 66 is press fitted or otherwise secured to the sleeve 56 in a position overlying the slots 72, I4 and the groove 16 in order to maintain the spring strip 78 in position in said slots and grooves and to provide means for rotatively shifting the sleeve 56 relative to the end portion 26 of the stud I6. The sleeve 56 may be maintained on the portion 26 against axial movement relative thereto by an angular flange or collar 88 formed upon the stud I6 and by a knurled nut 66 received on a reduced threaded end portion 62 of the stud I6. If desired, the nut 96 may be provided with an annular flange 84 similar to the flange 88 for the purpose of increasing the area of contact between the nut and the sleeve 56 to prevent axial movement of the sleeve 56, and with the sleeve 56 and the annular flange 86, sealing the enclosed parts against entrance of dust or moisture and preventing leakage of lubricant from said parts.

Alternatively, the sleeve 56 may be secured to the stud I6 against axial movement by a ring 96 and the nut 96, as shown in Fig. 12, the ring 96 being press fitted into an annular recess 98 in the outer edge of the sleeve 56 and overlying the shoulder I66 formed by the reduced and threaded end portion 62 of the stud I6. In this form, the annular flange 68 being omitted, a ring I62 may be fitted in an annular recess in the other edge of the sleeve 56 and secured thereto as by upsetting the edge of the sleeve over said ring. The ring 96 may, if desired, be secured in like manner to the sleeve 56. It will be evident that the rings 66 and I62 enclose the ends of the grooves 52, 54, 56, 58 and 66 and thereby also prevent movement of the sleeve relative to the rollers 46 and 42 and the pin or key 44.

The mechanism may be assembled as follows. The spring strip I8 is first inserted in its proper position in the slots 72 and I4 and the groove 16 with its free ends lying in the grooves 52 and 54. The knurled sleeve or collar 86 is then press fitted over the sleeve 56. The split ring spring 46 having been secured in position in the portion 26 of the stud I6, the pin or key 44 is inserted in the slot 28 in its position overlying and resting upon the spring 46. The sleeve 56 is inserted on the portion 26 of the stud I6 with a recess 56 or 66 in registry with the slot 28 and a groove 52 or 54 in registry with the slot 36. The pin 44, upon the application of a slight external pressure, slides into the alined groove 56 or 66. The roller 46 is then inserted through the end of the stud I6 and dropped into the alined slot 28 and groove 56 or 66 and the roller 42 then is inserted through the end of the stud I6 in its slot 36 and alined groove 52 or 54. The ratchet I6, which has been previously secured to its operating member, as for example, the bow or handle 32, is then inserted into the portion 26 of the stud I6 with its extending end portion 34 fitting into the central opening 38 in the stud I6. The retaining nut 96 is then threaded onto the end portion 62 of the stud I and co-acts with the collar portion 20 of the ratchet I6 to fasten the stud III thereto against movement axially to the left as seen in Fig. 3. The collar portion 32 of the ratchet I6 co-acts with the internal shoulder formed by the tubular portion 26 of the stud to prevent axial movement of the stud and ratchet in the opposite direction.

The operation of the mechanism is as follows: The sleeve 50 when rotated by the sleeve 86 relative to the stud I0 selectively alines the grooves 52, 54, 55 and 69 and the connecting surfaces 62 and ID with rollers 40 and 42 and simultaneously alines one of the grooves 55, 58 or 6|] with the pin or key 44. If it is desired to drive the tool in a clockwise direction, as seen in Fig. 6 while permitting ratcheting in a counterclockwise direction, the sleeve 50 is rotated to its extreme relative position in a clockwise direction relative to the stud I0 and ratchet I6 to aline the groove 60 with the roller 40 and the key 44, the groove 54 being thereby disposed relative to the slot 30 as shown in Fig. 6. In this position the roller 40 is free to move outwardly relative to the ratchet to permit the teeth thereof to pass said roller but the roller 42, when the ratchet I6 is rotated in a clockwise direction, is entrapped in a groove of the ratchet by the connecting surface I0 between the grooves 52 and 54. It will thus be seen that the clockwise rotation of the ratchet is transmitted to the stud Ill through the trapped roller 42 and the engaged edge of the slot 30. The parts being thus adjusted, when the ratchet I6 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction the roller 42 will be moved counterclockwise and drop into the groove 54, the teeth of the ratchet forcing the roller downwardly in the groove against the action of the spring I8 and the ratchet thereby is disconnected from the stud I0.

When it is desired to rotate the tool in the opposite direction, or in an assumed counterclockwise direction, while permitting ratcheting of the handle in the clockwise direction, the sleeve 56 is rotated counterclockwise, as seen in Fig. 6, to the position shown in Fig. '7, wherein the groove 55 is alined with the roller 42 and the key 44, and the groove 52 is positioned relative to the slot 30 as shown in said figure. During this movement the key 44 is forced inwardly of the slot 23 against the action of the spring 46 and the roller 40 is forced downwardly into a groove of the ratchet by the connecting portion 62 over which it passes from the groove 60 to the groove 56. The roller 42 is in like manner forced into a groove of the ratchet by the connecting portion Ill over which it moves relatively from the groove 54 to the groove 52. In the position of adjustment shown in Fig. 7, the roller 40 is free to move outwardly of the ratchet into the groove 56 but the roller 42 is now entrapped between the opposite edge of the slot 30 and the connecting portion I0 when the ratchet I6 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction as seen in Fig. '7. Upon clockwise rotation of the ratchet It the roller 42 will be forced by the teeth of the ratchet into the groove 52 against the action of the spring It and the ratchet thereby disconnected from the sleeve, the roller 42 ascending from and descending into the groove 52 with the passage of each tooth of the ratchet past the slot 30.

When it is desired to lock the mechanism against ratcheting in either direction, the sleeve 59 is moved to an intermediate position wherein the roller 40 is trapped in a groove in the ratchet by the connecting portion 62 and the roller 42 is trapped in a groove of the ratchet by the connecting portion I0, all as shown in Fig. 5. In this position of adjustment the key 44 is seated in the groove 58. It will be seen that the pin 44 prevents inadvertent rotation of the sleeve 50 relative to the tubular portion 26 of the stud I0, but that said pin is movable inwardly of its slot against the action of a spring 46 to permit rela- K tive rotation of the sleeve 50, stud Ill and ratchet it when desired;

It will be seen from the above description that applicant has provided a particularly simple, cheap, durable and efficient ratchet or directive J clutch mechanism for bit braces or like work tools, in which the operating parts are protected against the entrance of dust or moisture and against loss of lubricant.

If desired the locking roller 40 and the asso I ciated portions of the grooves 56 and 65 may be omitted and reliance had solely upon the locking effect of the roller 42 when trapped in a groove of the ratchet by the connecting portion III. However, since the trapped roller 42 and ratchet it would in this form have a certain amount of lost motion relative to the stud Ill, the use of the roller 40, as shown in the drawings, is deemed preferable.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. In a bit brace or the like, a rotary driving member, a clutch member carried by said driving member, a driven member, a second clutch member operatively connected to said driven member and movable into and out of engagement with? said first clutch member to couple and uncouple said driven member to and from said driving member, and adjustable control means for positively locking said second member against movement out of engagement with said first clutch member upon rotation of said driving member in one direction, said locking means comprising means for permitting movement of said second clutch member out of engagement with said first clutch member upon rotation of said driving member in the opposite direction.

2. In a bit brace or the like, a cylindrical driving member having angularly spaced grooves ex tending axially thereof, a rotary driven member having a sleeve-like portion enclosing said cylindrical member, said sleeve-like portion having an axially extending slot adapted to register with the grooves in said cylindrical member, shiftable connecting means movable radially within said, grooves and slot to couple and uncouple said cylindrical member and said rotary member, a sleeve journaled on the sleeve-like portion of said rotary member, a portion of said sleeve overlying said slot and positively locking said shiftable means against radial movement upon rotation of said cylindrical member in one direction to drive said rotary member and said sleeve having a longitudinal groove mating with the axial slot in said rotary member for permitting radial movement of said shiftable means upon rotation of said cylindrical member in the opposite direction.

3. In a bit brace or the like, a rotatable handle,

a cylindrical clutch member having longitudi- *0 nally extending, spaced apart peripheral grooves, means for fixedly securing said clutch member to said handle, a tool-receiving member having a sleeve-like portion enclosing said clutch member, said sleeve-like portion having an axially extending slot adapted to register With the grooves in said clutch member, a second clutch member seating in the grooves of said first clutch member and being movable radially within said slot to connect and disconnect said first clutch member to and from said tool-receiving member, a control sleeve enclosing the sleeve-like portion of said tool-receiving member and being rotatably adjustable relative thereto, said control sleeve having a pair of internal, angularly spaced, longitudinally extending grooves, said grooves permitting radial movement of said second clutch member out of engagement with the first clutch member upon rotation of the first member in a non-driving direction thereby to disconnect said tool-receiving member from said handle and the internal surface portion of said control sleeve between said grooves positively locking said second clutch member in engagement with said first clutch member upon rotation of said first member in a driving direction thereby to connect said handle to said tool-receiving member, means for adjusting said control sleeve relative to said toolreceiving member selectively to position one or the other of said internal grooves and a portion of said internal surface in alignment with said axial slot whereby in one position of adjustment of said sleeve the handle is connected to the tool receiving member for rotation in a clockwise direction and in the other position of adjustment is connected thereto for rotation in the counterclockwise direction.

4. In a device of the character described, a rotary driving member, a cylindrical ratchet secured to said driving member, a ratchet cage said cage and having a pair of internal, axially extending grooves, said grooves being spaced apart a distance equal to the width of said slot by an unrelieved internal surface portion of said sleeve whereby in one position of adjustment of said control sleeve said pawl is locked against radial movement by said internal surface portion of the sleeve when said ratchet is rotated in a clockwise direction and is permitted by one of said grooves to move radially when said ratchet is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, and whereby in another position of adjustment of said sleeve said pawl is locked against radial movement by said internal surface portion when said ratchet is rotated in the counterclockwise rotary driving member, a cylindrical ratchet secured to said driving member, a driven sleeve enclosing said ratchet, said sleeve having diametrically opposed, longitudinally extending slots, rollers movable radially within said slots to conple and uncouple said driving member and said driven sleeve, said ratchet having peripheral grooves shaped to receive said rollers, a control sleeve encircling a portion of said driven sleeve, said control sleeve having oppositely disposed, longitudinally extending internal grooves adapted to receive said rollers and unrelieved internal surface portions closely circumjacent the periphery of said driven sleeve, said control sleeve being adjustable to two positions relative to said driven sleeve, in one of which both of said rollers are trapped against radial movement by unrelieved internal surface portions of the control sleeve and in the other position of which one of said rollers is permitted to move into its associated groove in said control sleeve while the other roller is trapped against radial movement by an unrelieved internal surface portion of the sleeve when said ratchet is rotated in one direction but released for movement into its associated groove upon rotation of said ratchet in the other direction.

6. In a device of the character described, a rotary driving member, a cylindrical ratchet secured to said driving member, a driven sleeve enclosing said ratchet, said sleeve having pairs of diametrically opposed, longitudinally extending slots, rollers movable radially within said slots to couple and uncouple said driving member and said driven sleeve, said ratchet having peripheral grooves shaped to receive said rollers, a control sleeve encircling a portion of said driven sleeve and adjustably mounted thereon, said control sleeve having oppositely disposed, longitudinally extending internal grooves adapted to receive said rollers and unrelieved internal surface portions closely circumjacent the periphery of said driven sleeve, there being a pair of grooves for each roller, said control sleeve being adjustable to three positions relative to said driven sleeve, in one of which both of said rollers are trapped against radial movement by said unrelieved internal surface portions of the control sleeve; in the second position of which one of said rollers is permitted to move radially into one of its associated grooves while the other roller is trapped against movement by an unrelieved internal surface portion of the control sleeve when said ratchet is rotated in a clockwise direction but released for movement radially into one of its associated grooves when said ratchet is rotated in a counterclockwise direction; and in the third position of which one of said rollers is free to move radially into the other of its associated grooves while the other roller is trapped against movement by an unrelieved internal surface portion of the control sleeve when said ratchet is rotated in a counterclockwise direction but released for movement radially into the other of its associated grooves when said ratchet is rotated in a clockwise direction.

'7. In a device for coupling a driven member to a rotary driving member, a ratchet mechanism comprising a cylindrical ratchet secured to the driving member for rotation therewith, a driven sleeve secured to said driven member and enclosing said ratchet, said driven sleeve having a longitudinally extending slot, a pawl comprising a roller substantially equal in diameter to the width of said slot, said roller being movable radially inwardly and outwardly of said slot to couple and uncouple said ratchet to and from said driven sleeve, said driven sleeve having an additional longitudinally extending slot, a second pawl comprising a second roller of a diameter less than the width of the said additional slot, said second roller being movable radially inwardly and outwardly of said additional slot to couple and uncouple said ratchet to and from said driven sleeve, a control sleeve journaled on said driven sleeve, said control sleeve having a pair of longitudinally extending internal grooves adapted to be selectively positioned in registry with the first mentioned slot in said driven sleeve and an additional pair of longitudinally extending internal grooves adapted to be selectively positioned in registry with said additional slot, the grooves of each-pair being spaced apart by an unrelieved in--, ternal surface portion of the sleeve, said second roller being movable circumferentially of said driven sleeve within said second slotfrom a position in which it is trapped between the ratchet and an imrelieved internal surface portion of the sleeve into and out of positions in registry with a selected one of said additional pair of internal grooves, and means for adjusting said control sleeve relatively to said driven sleeve into three positions relative to said driven sleeve, in one of which both of said rollers are trapped against radial movement by said unrelieved internal surface portion of the sleeve; in the second position of which the first roll-er is permitted to move radially into one of its associated grooves while the second roller is trapped against movement by an unrelieved internal surface portion of the control sleeve when said ratchet is rotated in a clockwise direction but released for movement radially into one of its associated grooves when said ratchet is rotated in a counterclockwise direction; and in the third position of which the first roller is free to move radially into the other of its associated grooves while the second roller is trapped against movement by an internal surface portion of the control sleeve when said ratchet is rotated in a counterclockwise direction but released for movement radially into the other of its associated grooves when said ratchet is rotated in a clockwise direction.

8. In the combination of claim '7 wherein means are provided for maintaining the control sleeve in each of its adjusted positions, said means comprising a key mounted in the first mentioned slot of said driven sleeve, said con trol sleeve having a groove connecting portions of the first mentioned pair of grooves in said control sleeve for receiving said key in one position of adjustment of said control sleeve, said key being received in said first mentioned, spaced apart grooves in said control sleeve in the other positions of adjustment of said sleeve, and resilient means carried by said driven sleeve for normally urging said key into said grooves.

9. In a bit brace or the like, a manually rotatable bar, a ratchet secured to one end of said bar, a driven sleeve enclosing said ratchet and journaled on said bar, said sleeve having an axially extending slot, a pawl within said slot and movable radially inwardly and outwardly relative thereto to couple and uncouple said ratchet to and from said driven sleeve, and means for positively locking said pawl against radial movement when said ratchet is rotated in a driving direction while permitting radial movement of said pawl when said ratchet is rotated in the opposite non-driving direction whereby said ratchet is connected to said sleeve for simultaneous rotation in the driving direction and is disconnected therefrom upon rotation of the ratchet in the opposite direction.

10. In a device of the character described, a driving element, a driven element, .a cylindrical ratchet member having angularly spaced grooves extending axially thereof, a rotary member having an axially extending slot adapted to register with the grooves in said cylindrical member, one of said members being operatively connected to said driving element and the other of said members being operatively connected to said driven element, a pawl smaller than said slot movable radially within said grooves and circumferentially and radially within said slot to couple and uncouple said cylindrical member and said rotary member, and an adjustable control sleeve operatively associated with said rotary member and having a portion for positively locking said pawl against radial movement upon rotation of said driving element in a driving direction whereby to couple said cylindrical member to said rotary member and another portion spaced angularly to the first portion for permitting radial movement of said pawl when said driving element is rotated in the opposite non-driving direction whereby to uncouple said cylindrical member from said rotary member.

11. In a device of the character described, a driving element, a driven element, a cylindrical ratchet member having angularly spaced grooves extending axially thereof, a rotary member having an axially extending slot adapted to register with the grooves in said cylindrical member, one of said members being operatively connected to said driving element and the other of said members being operatively connected to said driven element, shiftable connecting means comprising a pawl movable radially within said grooves and slot to couple and uncouple said cylindrical member and said rotary member, and a control sleeve operatively associated with one of said members and having pawl releasing portions spaced angularly apartby a pawl trapping portion, said sleeve being adjustable relative to its oppositely associated member into a plurality of positions, in one of which said pawl trapping portion prevents radial movement of said pawl when said driving element is rotated in a clockwise direction but permits angular movement of said pawl into alignment with one of said pawl releasing portions when said driving element is rotated in a counterclockwise direction and in the second of said plurality of positions said pawl trapping portion prevents radial movement of said pawl when said driving element is rotated in a counterclockwise direction but permits angular movement of said pawl into alignment with the other of said pawl releasing portions when said driving element is rotated in a clockwise direction.

12. In a device of the character described, a driving ratchet, a roller pawl, a driven ratchet cage having a slot greater in width than the width of said pawl to receive the roller pawl and to permit the roller to move angularly and radially relative to the cage, and a control sleeve enclosing the ratchet and ratchet cage, said sleeve having a groove therein to receive the roller when the ratchet is rotated in one direction to permit the roller to disengage the ratchet, said sleeve having an internal surface portion closely circumjacent the periphery of the ratchet cage and onto which portion the roller is moved an gularly from the groove by the ratchet when the ratchet is rotated in the opposite direction thereby to trap the roller against radial movement during rotation of the ratchet in said opposite direction.

13. In a bit brace or a like Work tool of the character described, driving and driven members comprising a ratchet and a ratchet case, a pawl for coupling and uncoupling said members, said cage having a slot therein to receive the pawl, and a control sleeve adjustably mounted on the ratchet cage and enclosing the ratchet and ratchet cage, said sleeve having an internal surface portion adapted to overlie a portion of said slot and having a groove extending radially outwardly from said surface portion and adapted to register with-the remaining portion of said slot when the internal surface portion of the sleeve extends over the said first portion of the slot,-

whereby the said internal surface portion maintains the pawl in engagement with the ratchet when said driven member is rotated in one direction and the internal groove permits radial movement of said pawl out of engagement with the ratchet to uncouple said driving and driven members when the driving member is rotated in the opposite direction.

GEORGE L. ROCK. 

